By one key standard, David Axelrod's recently released book "Believer: My forty years in politics" was more successful than Hillary Clinton's "Hard Choices," which came out last summer. Subjectively speaking, Axelrod's book had more of the sort of small-bite revelations that pique the public's attention: President Obama misrepresented his position on gay marriage, he was mad about Mitt Romney's concession call in 2012, he got an early look at an iPhone. Clinton's book, on the other hand, was often considered ... a bit dry. The sort of thing someone might write if they wanted to play it safe before running for office.

I reached out to Ben to talk about the origins of his first Schock article, how surprised he has been about its staying power and what it's like to become part of a story you write. Our conversation is below. Fun fact I learned from our conversation: Ben has still never met Schock!

For EMILY's List, an organization whose very reason for being is to elect pro-abortion rights Democratic woman to the White House, their 30th anniversary gala tonight was set to be a kind of grand coming-out party for Hillary Clinton's soon-t0-be-announced presidential campaign. Clinton house parties are scheduled around the country, with supporters expected to tune in to her speech; one person involved with EMILY's List referred to it as "our Superbowl."

President Frank Underwood's major policy proposal in "House of Cards" season 3 is America Works, a "universal employment" program designed to end reliance on entitlements and propel Underwood to a full term in 2016. But could the fictional jobs program work in real life?

In Underwood's America, the unemployment rate is up and his approval ratings are down. He said he wants to create 10 million jobs (there are currently 9 million unemployed people in the real Obama's America, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) and described AmWorks as having the "size and scope of the New Deal." "If you want a job you get a job," Underwood said.

There's a great report from the Congressional Research Service, originally published in 2008, that outlines how the budget process should work. The president releases a budget message in February; Congress adopts a budget resolution (that may or may not reflect that message) by April 15. That guides the appropriations measures that end up on the floor of Congress, ideally before October 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Something "big" happened in Washington, D.C., today, which means that it's incumbent upon us in the political media to reduce it, like chefs with balsamic vinegar, to something palatable, measurable and disconnected from its original substance.

So we present: How Netanyahu's congressional speeches have compared with Obama's States of the Union, in terms of standing ovations.

Americans have disapproved of President Obama's handling of Iran and do not trust the nation to be faithful to a deal aimed at curbing its nuclear program. Those views are in line with the message Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu trumpeted Tuesday during his U.S. visit -- and speech to a joint meeting of Congress-- as nuclear negotiations approach an end-of-March deadline.

Time and time again, Netanyahu heaped praise on the United States and referred to America's indispensable role in the future of the Middle East. "Israel is grateful for the support of America's people and of America's presidents, from Harry Truman to Barack Obama," Netanyahu said to roars from the assembled elected officials. "Israel is grateful to you, the American Congress, for your support, for supporting us in so many ways, especially in generous military assistance and missile defense, including Iron Dome," he added later, again to loud applause. And, this: "Thank you, America. Thank you for everything you've done for Israel."